Hybrid bullying trends in Argentina

The Argentine Society of Pediatrics (SAP) has issued warnings regarding the rise of “hybrid” bullying, a phenomenon where physical aggression in schools transitions into digital harassment via social media, WhatsApp, and gaming platforms. Experts note that this continuity allows violence to persist outside school hours, reaching children at home and creating a lasting digital footprint.

Data cited by the SAP and UNICEF Argentina indicates a significant increase in harassment. UNICEF reported that the proportion of adolescents aged 13 to 17 experiencing harassment rose from 25% to 41% between 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, the 2023 Aprender Tests, which involved over 614,000 sixth-grade students, showed that 63% of students reported experiencing at least one instance of aggression or violence.

Health professionals have highlighted concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence to alter content and intensify harassment through hate speech or the unauthorized distribution of private information. Warning signs for victims include fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits, and declining academic performance.